BULLHORN #19 4 March 2008
ANAers!!
Please pass this information to ALL HANDS!
Please read carefully the few administrative notes that follow. Then go
to the attachment for lots of news and
announcements of two television series that highlight US Navy aircraft
carriers.
First some admin ‘stuff -
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS – We
continue to see too many old membership application and renewal
forms,
most of which are terribly incorrect. Please go to our web site at
http://www.anahq.org, look around for a while -
then, after you are completely awed, click on “MEMBERSHIP”on the
left-hand side of the opening page, which will
take you to our recruiting brochure at
http://www.anahq.org/Membership.htm. Clicking on the yellow
background
“JOIN HERE” will take you to
http://www.anahq.org/012908MembershipApp.pdf for the correct
form.
MEMBERSHIP DATABASE ISSUES!!
MOVING? Please help! The mailing list used to
send membership their copies of WINGS OF GOLD is generated
from our regular membership rolls. Ann Burton, our Membership
Coordinator, works especially hard to ensure
those rolls are ship-shape so, among lots of things, each of us receives
our copies of the magazine. Unfortunately,
we receive far too many notifications of failure to deliver WINGS OF
GOLD, usually because the member has
moved without mail forwarding instructions. Please – pass the word
throughout your squadrons to have
members keep their addresses up
to date with Ann.
RANK, STATUS - The membership
database reflects ONLY that information members provide on their
membership applications or renewals. If the member puts no rank on the
application, “Mr.” is entered. If the
member signs up as an ENS and doesn’t update his rank for 20 years+, it
will still be ENS when he retires. The
same is true for military status, active duty or retired. Unfortunately,
promotions don’t earn extra points but it would
be nice if we could make the database as accurate as possible –
please make sure all your personal
information is as up-to-date and complete as possible.
LOST AND FOUND
We have lost contact with the following members. Every
member is important!! If anyone has information
regarding their situation or whereabouts, please contact me at
svwindmills@erols.com
CAPT Richard H. Burns, USN (Ret) last known = San Diego, CA
CAPT David M. Burns, USN (Ret) last known = Camden, ME
CAPT John A. Burns, USN (Ret) last known = Warren, ME
LCDR Paul Remington, USN (Ret) last known = Smyrna, GA
LCDR Joel Hyland, USN (Ret) last known = Port Orange, FL
LCDR Joseph Niedermair, USN last known = New Orleans, LA
Mrs. Charles L. Brooks last known = New Orleans, LA
MAJ Bowen P. Weisheit, USMC (Ret) last known = Bel Air, MD
CDR Paul J. Heron, USN (Ret) last known = Camarillo, CA
The HON Fred Davidson, III, USMCR last known = Chicago, IL
COL Robert B. Porter, USMC (Ret) last known = Fresno, CA
CHANGE OF COMMAND – DESERT HAWKS – ANA 60
Congratulations to Ken Hollett, who relieved
Thomas "TK" Howard as the contact person and Commanding Officer
of
Squadron 60, Tucson, AZ--the Desert Hawks. Ken is a retired
government employee. He was a regular officer
in the Navy from June
1969 to June 1973, during which he was attached to HC-3 at Imperial
Beach NAS as an
H- 46 helicopter HAC, Instructor, and
post-maintenance test pilot. He resigned his regular commission in
June
1973 to return to graduate school--pursuing a career as a hydrogeologist and geophysicist. Ken was with the
US Geological
Survey for 27 years before retiring. His contact information is:
Kenneth "Ken" Hollett (khollett@cox.net)
11361 East Ammon Place
Tucson, AZ 85749-9301
(520) 760-1289 (home)
(520) 834-2473 (cell phone - MX, CAN, and US)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Battle 360: Call to Duty
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=57954
Aircraft Carrier
USS Enterprise, destined to
become the most decorated ship of World War ll, was the only carrier
to be front and center in every major sea battle in the Pacific. The
Enterprise and her crew
engaged in some of the
fiercest battles ever seen, marked by intense
firepower, instinct and a 360-coordination between the carrier, the
destroyers, the aircraft above and the submarines below. Follow the
Enterprise and its men
from the start of the
war through to the last battle
A large advertiser will bring that phrase to
life on Friday — and for the next 10 weeks — on a leading cable
network, agreeing to become the exclusive sponsor of a mini-series
and run far fewer spots than usual.
As a result, all 10 hourlong episodes will
offer viewers more program content than if they were interrupted by
conventional commercials. Each will run 54 to 55 minutes, rather
than the typical 44 to 45 minutes.
The mini-series, “Battle 360,” about the aircraft carrier
U.S.S. Enterprise, will appear on the History Channel each
Friday through May 2. The sole sponsor is the Enterprise
Rent-A-Car Company, which, it turns out, was named by
its
founder, a decorated World War II veteran, after the ship.
MORE USN ON TELEVISION!
“CARRIER” OFFERS INTIMATE LOOK AT LIFE ABOARD A U.S. AIRCRAFT
CARRIER
Filmmakers Given Unparalleled Access
to Document Stories During Six-Month Deployment to Persian Gulf
Premieres April 27 – May 1, 2008 on PBS
CARRIER, a revealing story of daily life on a
United States aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, premieres
Sunday-
Thursday, April 27-May 1, 2008, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Given unprecedented access by the Navy to the ship
and its
personnel, the filmmakers shot nearly 2,000 hours of high-definition
video from May to November 2005,
during a full six-month deployment
to the Persian Gulf. For the first time, a television series takes a
raw and
personal look at the Navy’s role in this controversial war.
“PBS viewers will get a gripping view of the deployment and
operations aboard an aircraft carrier during Operation
Iraqi
Freedom, including emotional accounts of real-life drama aboard the
floating city,” says John F. Wilson,
senior vice president and chief
TV programming executive. “The universal themes that emerge offer
compelling
insight into the men and women who commit to military
service against the extraordinary backdrop of war.”
The USS Nimitz, 24 stories high and three football fields
long, carries 85 military aircraft and 5,300 Navy
personnel, with an
average age of 19. CARRIER follows a core group of characters, from
the admiral of the fleet to
the fighter pilots to the scrubs, as
they navigate personal conflicts around their jobs, families, faith,
patriotism, love,
the rites of passage and the war on terror.
“CARRIER is a character-driven, edge-of-your-seat, nonfiction drama
and a once-in-a-lifetime total immersion into
the high stakes world
of a nuclear aircraft carrier,” says executive producer and director Maro Chermayeff.
The CARRIER series Web site at pbs.org/carrier offers
visitors a unique look at life on an aircraft carrier, picking
up
where the documentary leaves off, with more stories and
behind-the-scenes information, including additional
video clips, an
interactive tour of the ship, “where are they now?” character
updates, photographs, producer diaries
and more.
CARRIER will be available on DVD through PBS Home Video on
shopPBS.com after the broadcast premiere and
available in retail
stores on May 6, 2008.
CARRIER is a production of Icon Productions, LLC, and Carrier
Project, Inc. Executive producers are Mel Gibson,
Bruce Davey, Nancy
Cotton, Mitchell Block and Maro Chermayeff.
Funding for the series is provided by the CPB/PBS Challenge Fund.
The presenting station is WETA Washington,
DC.
About Carrier Project, Inc.
Carrier Project Inc. was formed in 2005 by Mitchell Block and Maro
Chermayeff for the purpose of producing the
series CARRIER and the
companion feature documentary Another Day in Paradise.
– PBS –
PRESS CONTACTS:
Theresa Black/Sienna Sanders, mPRm Public Relations, Tel.:
323/933-3399;
tblack@mprm.com/ssanders@mrpm.com Carrie Johnson,
PBS, Tel.: 703/739-5019; cjohnson@pbs.org
Possible reunion? If anyone has any
info on VMF-451 squadron mates from the period 1956 - 1960, please
contact William Call -
Saber88@gmail.com
REUNIONS PLANNED
USS IWO JIMA CLASS Association
15 – 19 October 2008
Marriott Hotel, Chesapeake, VA
Includes USS IWO JIMA (LPH2/LHD7), USS OKINAWA
(LPH3), USS TRIPOLI (LPH10/CVE64), USS NEW
ORLEANS (LPH11) – ALL
Ship’s Company and embarked Navy and Marine Corps personnel
POC – Robert G. McAnally
152 Frissell Street
Hampton, VA 23663
Tele 866-237-3137
Fax 757-723-4660
yujack@megalink.net
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VP OFFICER REUNION
10/17/2008 - 10/19/2008 Santa Clara,
CA
Details at the web site
www.vpreunion.com
POC:Tom Spink 408-732-4307
spink@ix.netcom.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
USS ANTIETAM CV/CVA/CVS-36 & CG-54
Includes all Ship’s company, Crews, Marine
Detachments, and attached squadrons.
17 – 21 September 2008, Oklahoma City, OK
POC:Bill Hiebert
7901 Candlewood Drive
Alexandria, VA 22306
703-768-6419
William.hiebert@attt.net
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PBY Catalina International Association
www.pbycia.org
All Hands
1 – 5 October 2008, DoubleTree Hotel, Denver, CO
POC:Don Mortimer
2245 Marlene Ln
Matituck, NY 11952
631-298-2685
pbydon@optonline.net
OR
Jim Thompson
504-392-1227
glotomcat@msn.com
An F/A-18 Hornet aircraft
from Carrier Air Wing One One embarked aboard the aircraft
carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) escorts a
Russian Tu-95 Bear long
rang bomber aircraft south of Japan Feb. 9, 2008. The bomber
neared the vicinity of the carrier
resulting in the fighter
intercept. Nimitz was transiting through the Western Pacific on
a regularly scheduled deployment
when the incident occurred. DoD
photo courtesy of U.S. Navy. (Released) (Released to Public)
Status of The
Navy
April 11, 2008
|
Navy Personnel |
|
Active Duty:
332,251 |
|
|
|
Officers:
51,103 |
|
|
|
Enlisted:
276,801 |
|
|
|
Midshipmen:
4,347 |
|
Ready Reserve:
126,060 [As of 08 Mar] |
|
|
|
Selected
Reserves:
70,249 |
|
|
|
Individual
Ready Reserve:
55,811 |
|
Reserves currently mobilized:
5,519
[As of 9 Apr] |
|
Personnel on deployment:
69,593 |
|
Navy Department Civilian Employees:
178,739 |
|
|
|
Ships and Submarines |
|
Deployable Battle Force Ships:
280 |
|
|
|
Ships
Underway (away from homeport):
127 ships (45% of total) |
|
|
|
On
deployment:
115
ships (41% of total) |
|
|
|
Attack
submarines underway (away from homeport):
29 submarines (53%) |
|
|
|
On
deployment:
21
submarines (38%) |
|
Ships Underway
|
|
|
|
Carriers:
|
|
USS
Nimitz (CVN 68) - Philippine Sea |
|
USS
Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - South China Sea |
|
USS George Washington (CVN 73) - Atlantic Ocean
|
|
USS
Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - Pacific Ocean |
|
USS
Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 5th Fleet |
|
|
|
Amphibious
Warfare Ships: |
|
USS Nassau
(LHA 4) -
Mediterranean Sea |
|
USS
Kearsarge (LHD 3) - Atlantic Ocean |
|
USS
Peleliu (LHA 5) - Pacific Ocean |
|
|
|
Tarawa
Expeditionary Strike Group: |
|
USS Tarawa
(LHA 1) - 5th Fleet |
|
Aircraft (operational):
3700+
|
Raytheon wins AESA retrofit deal for Super Hornets
By
Stephen Trimble
From
Flight Internatinal
The
US Navy has moved forward with plans to retrofit active radars on
the bulk of its older-
model
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
Raytheon has received a contract worth nearly $55 million to deliver
19
APG-79 active
electronically scanned arrays after an
approximately 18-month wait, says David Goold, its
director of
F/A-18 strategy and business development. The total number of
retrofitted aircraft
could eventually total 135, but the actual
number ordered per year will be negotiated on an
annual basis, he
adds.
The
figure of 135 excludes the first two annual lots of Super Hornets
delivered to the USN,
which are expected to continue to operate
mechanically scanned APG-73 radars.
But
the first order adds to the navy's overall plan to buy 415 radars to
equip all Super Hornets
and its EA-18G Growler electronic-attack
fleet. The Royal Australian Air Force has also placed
an order for
24 F/A-18Fs, all equipped with the APG-79.
The
USN plans to deploy the first AESA-equipped F/A-18 squadron later
this year. Raytheon
intends to soon release the delayed H4 block of
software code, which is needed to correct
instability issues
identified during operational testing, where the radar's capability
was
described as "dazzling" when operational, but sometimes
frustrating.
The deployment will mark the combat debut for a wave of AESA
technology developed and
tested over the past decade. The US Air
Force's Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor features the
Northrop
Grumman APG-77 AESA, but the fighter has not yet served in
battle since becoming
operational in late 2006.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Raytheon to
Provide Revolutionary AESA Capabilities to 135 F/A-18s
EL
SEGUNDO, Calif. /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy is
retrofitting 135 Super Hornets with
Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN)
APG-79 active
electronically scanned array radar.
An
initial contract worth nearly $55 million authorizes Raytheon to supply 19
AESA systems,
spares and maintenance. This ensures Super Hornets
manufactured before installation of the
APG-79 will benefit from
Raytheon's new
advanced sensor technology.
The
APG-79 program is moving toward full-rate production in
anticipation of delivering 415
systems plus spares to the Navy and
24 systems to
the Royal Australian Air Force in coming
years.
"The
retrofit program further enhances the Navy's airborne
capabilities, ensuring our customer
has game-changing sensor
technology across the
majority of its airborne assets," said Dr. Tom
Kennedy, vice president
for Raytheon's Tactical Airborne Systems business.
"Our
operational AESA radar delivers a range of advanced options including
non-traditional
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, high-speed
transfer of actionable information,
unparalleled situational awareness,
and targeting capabilities at greater ranges than ever."
Two
AESA-equipped fleet squadrons are training for deployment expected in 2008.
They are the
Black Lions of VFA-213 at Naval Air Station Oceana and the
Fighting Redcocks of VFA-22 at Naval
Air Station Lemoore. AESA-equipped
Super Hornets are also being added to two training
squadrons so
aircrews can learn how best to maximize the advanced capabilities of
the APG-79.
"The
APG-79 AESA radar is the key sensor in the flight plan for the Block II
Super Hornets that
will keep these aircraft dominant for decades," said Capt.
Mark W. Darrah, F/A-18 and EA-18G
Navy program manager. The APG-79
AESA radar provides our warfighters with sensor data that
will
revolutionize how we employ the F/A-18E/F block II and EA-18G
platforms.
The radar
serves as the key enabling capability to field F/A-18/ and EA-18G flight
plan
elements.
"From
operational and maintenance viewpoints, we believe this new technology
sets us apart and
will give us the edge we need in the
challenging battlespace in which we expect to operate well
into the future."
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $19.7 billion, is a technology leader
specializing in
defense, homeland security and other government markets
throughout the world. With a history
of innovation spanning 85 years,
Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission
systems
integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects;
and command,
control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad
range of mission support
services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass.,
Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.
Pensacola News Journal
End of runway near for ' T-2'
Buckeye aircraft on its way out after training thousands of
aviators since 1958
Erin Bridges
ebridges@pnj.com
Top of Form
Al Tessier was one of the first to get his hands on the T-2
Buckeye back in 1959.
As a mechanic at the Naval Air Test Center in Maryland, he had
the privilege of getting up close and personal with
the new
aircraft.
Now, working as a civilian maintenance supervisor at Training
Squadron 86 at Pensacola Naval Air Station,
Tessier also will be
one of the last to work on the planes.
Thursday marked the plane's 50th and final anniversary as an
active military plane that made its first flight in Ohio
on Jan.
31, 1958. Over the years, thousands of military aviators trained
in the T-2.
The squadron planned a flyby Thursday morning to commemorate the
occasion, but rain canceled the flight.
"I've seen a lot of planes come and go," Tessier said. "It's a
good plane, and the amount of history is incredible."
The first T-2 arrived in Pensacola in November 1959. The third
version of the plane, the orange and white T-2C
planes that dot
the sky over Pensacola on a daily basis, still are used to train
aviators from the Navy, Marine Corps
and Air Force.
But now it is time for Pensacola NAS, the only U.S. base still
using the planes, to move on.
The last aviation class will fly the Buckeye later this year. A
sundown ceremony for the T-2 aircraft will take place in
early
August, making way for the new T-45 Goshawk.
Though the T-2 is an institution in the Navy, there are some
advantages to the new plane. It comes with the latest
navigation
technology that is similar to what is found in fighter jets used
outside of training.
And, on a dreary day like Thursday, pilots can rely on their
instruments to fly.
"It's bittersweet," said Marine Lt. Col. Doug Drew, executive
officer of the training squadron. "This plane has been
the
workhorse of the Navy for so long."
Drew is one of the many aviators who learned to fly in a T-2 in
the 1990s.
He said the plane is ideal for practicing a variety of
maneuvers, air-to-air combat techniques and how to drop
weapons.
Unlike commercial aircraft, they are designed for hard, direct
landings, similar to what would be done on
an aircraft carrier.
Drew spends his days soaring above Pensacola in those same
planes, preparing student aviators before they join
the fleet.
"It's a total syllabus trainer," Drew said. "It helps transition
pilots to jets."
Even with the daily beating the planes take, Tessier said the
planes have held up well.
"I can keep 10 going if I can get the parts," he said.
Tessier's maintenance crew is sad to see the T-2 go.
Many of the maintenance workers at the training squadron have
seen the plane evolve. The original T-2A was a
single-engine
plane.
The T-2B boasted two engines, but did not have the power
necessary to launch off a carrier. The idea was
perfected in
1966 with the introduction of the T-2C.
"If we were (automobile) mechanics it would be like we've been
working on '69 Camaros and they're replacing
them with '08s,"
said avionics mechanic Chris Amos. "They're getting rid of our
babies."
In anticipation of the transition, instructors and maintenance
personnel will spend time in Meridian, Miss., training
with a
squadron that has switched to the Goshawk.
"The new one is going to be fine," said John Stuart, who has
worked on the Buckeye since 1966. "But I don't know
that it will
outlast the T-2."
Flag Officer Announcements
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that
the President has made the following nominations:
Navy Rear Adm. John M. Bird has been nominated for
appointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as
commander, Seventh
Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan. Bird is currently serving
as deputy and chief of staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii.
[RADM Bird as a submariner – Dutch]
Navy Rear Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. has been nominated for
appointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as deputy
chief of
naval operations for communication networks, N6, Office of
the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, DC. Harris is
currently
serving as director for operations, J-3, U.S. Southern
Command, Miami, Fla.
Rear Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr.
J-3 Director of Operations,
U.S. Southern Command 
Rear
Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., is the Director of Operations for U.S.
Southern
Command. He was born in Yokosuka, Japan, and reared in
Tennessee and Florida.
He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978. Upon commissioning
and completion
of flight training, he was assigned to Patrol
Squadron (VP) 44, homeported in Brunswick,
Maine. His subsequent
operational tours include assignment as a Tactical Action Officer
onboard USS Saratoga (CV 60), homeported in Mayport, Fla.,
when she participated in
strike operations against Libya; Operations
Officer in VP-4 during Operations Desert
Shield/Desert
Storm; and three tours with Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing
1/Task Force
57/CTask Force 72, homeported in Kami Seya, Japan. In
2002, he reported to
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central
Command/Commander U.S. 5th Fleet, serving
as ACOS for Operations,
Plans, and Pol-Mil Affairs (N3/N5) where he was involved in
planning
and execution of the Naval component’s portion of
Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
His command assignments include VP-46 at Whidbey Island, Wash., and
Patrol and
Reconnaissance Wing 1/CTF57/CTF 72 at Kami Seya, Japan.
While in command of
TF
57, the Task Force was heavily involved in
Operation
Enduring Freedom, flying nearly
1,000 combat
sorties over Afghanistan. In March 2006, he assumed command of Joint
Task Force-Guantanamo.
Rear Admiral Harris’ shore and education assignments include Aide
and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander, U.S. Naval
Forces Japan, in Yokosuka, Japan; duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
as a strategist in the Strategy and
Concepts Branch; and Special
Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In August
2004, he reported to the
staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as
Director, Information, Plans and Security Division (OPNAV N3IPS),
responsible
for Navy current operations and anti-terrorism/force
protection policy.
Selected for the Navy’s Harvard/Tufts Program, he attended the John
F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard
University, graduating in
1992 with a Master in Public Administration. He was later selected
as an Arthur S. Moreau
Scholar and commenced studies in
international relations at Oxford and Georgetown Universities,
earning a Master of
Arts in National Security Studies from the
latter in 1994. While at Georgetown, he was also Fellow in the
School of Foreign
Service. He was an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow for the
1999-2000 academic year.
Rear Admiral Harris has logged 4,400 flight hours, including over
400 combat hours, in U.S. and foreign maritime patrol
and
reconnaissance aircraft.
In June 2007, Rear Admiral Harris became Director of Operations for
U.S. Southern Command.
Rear Admiral Harris’ personal decorations include the Defense
Superior Service Medal (2 awards), the Legion of Merit
(3 awards),
the Bronze Star (2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (4
awards), the Air Medal, the Joint Service
Commendation Medal, the
Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and
various campaign and
unit decorations. He is a recipient of the Navy
League’s Stephen Decatur Award for Operational Competence.
Updated: 6
September 2007
Navy Rear Adm. Elizabeth A. Hight has been nominated for
appointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as director,
Defense
Information Systems Agency; commander, Joint Task Force –
Global Network Operations; and deputy commander, U.S. Strategic
Command
Global Network Operations and Defense, Arlington, Va. Hight
is currently serving as vice commander, Defense Information Systems
Agency,
Arlington, Va.
{RADM
Hight is a communications officer - Dutch}
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE No. 0090-08
Fiscal
Year 2009 Department Of Defense Budget Released
President George W. Bush today sent to Congress
his Defense budget for Fiscal Year 2009. The budget provides $515.4
billion in
discretionary authority for the Department of Defense (DoD),
a $35.9 billion or 7.5 percent increase over the enacted level for
Fiscal Year 2008.
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget reflects the
President’s priorities and sustains his commitment to prevail in the
Global War on Terror; increase
ground combat capabilities; improve
force readiness; develop the combat capabilities needed to meet
future threats; and improve the quality of
life for Service members
and their families.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said, “the
President’s budget for FY 2009 provides the resources necessary to
maintain an agile, highly
trained, and lethal fighting force,
increase Army and Marine Corps end strength, and sustain the United
States’ technological advantage over
current and potential
enemies.” Specifically, the Department’s request:
·
Maintains a highly trained fighting force of 2.2 million soldiers,
sailors, airmen, and Marines;
·
Recruits, trains and equips 65,000 additional active duty soldiers
and 27,000 additional Marines over five years;
·
Provides pay increases of 3.4 percent for military members, improves
benefits for the all-volunteer force, and
increases pay 2.9 percent
for the civilian workforce;
·
Provides world-class health care for 9.2 million eligible Service
members, families, and retirees;
·
Procures and maintains an arsenal of the world’s most advanced
weapon systems;
·
Improves warfighting capabilities and invests in science and
technology to maintain U.S. advantage over the
Nation’s enemies;
·
Maintains 545,000 facilities at 5,300 sites in the U.S. and around
the globe; and
·
Maintains vital intelligence capabilities.
Key highlights are outlined in the attached
document. The Fiscal Year 2009 budget is posted at
www.budget.mil .
PRESIDENT BUSH’S FISCAL YEAR
2009 DEFENSE BUDGET SUBMISSION
President Bush’s Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $515.4 billion in
discretionary budget authority for the Department of Defense, a
$35.9
billion or 7.5 percent increase over the enacted level for
Fiscal Year 2008.
The Fiscal Year 2009 Defense budget request sustains the President’s
commitment to growing U.S. ground forces that are needed to
prevail
in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, to sustain a high
rate of military readiness and prepare for a wide range of threats
that
face the Nation now and in the years ahead, and to care for
Service members and their families. This year’s
request increases investments in
five areas: prevailing in the
Global War on Terror (GWOT); increasing ground combat capabilities;
improving force readiness; developing future
combat capabilities;
and improving quality of life for Service members and families.
Prevailing in the Global War on
Terror
The global threat posed by violent extremists is the preeminent
danger of our time. To ensure freedom and security and advance peace
and
stability throughout the world, the United States must succeed
in Iraq and Afghanistan and work with its allies and partners to
prevail in the
ongoing struggle.
In addition to the $515.4 billion request, the Administration
requests $70 billion as an emergency allowance for the Global War on
Terror. Details will be provided to Congress once the specific
requirements of our troops on the ground are better known.
In Fiscal Year 2008, Congress appropriated $86.8 billion or 46
percent of the President’s $189.3 billion request for GWOT.
Congress has not yet appropriated the remaining balance – $102.5
billion – of funds requested and needed for U.S. forces
currently
in combat.
These additional funds are required to pay our military personnel,
continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, reconstitute our
forces,
provide force protection for the troops, and fund the Iraqi
and Afghan security forces.
Build Partnership Capacity
Recognizing that threats to U.S. security exist beyond the war on
terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. must also build and
strengthen
the military and security capabilities of our global
partners to increase the effectiveness of U.S. forces.
To strengthen the military and security capabilities of global
partners, the Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $750 million:
·
$500 million for the Global Train and Equip Program,
·
$200 million for security and stabilization assistance, and
·
$50 million for the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund for Urgent
Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction.
Africa Command
To strengthen U.S. security and promote peace and stability in
Africa, DoD requests $389 million in Fiscal Year 2009 to establish
the U.S. Africa
Command. The new geographical command will focus
primarily on building partnership capacities, conducting theater
security cooperation,
building important counter-terrorism skills
and, as appropriate, supporting other U.S. Government agencies in
implementing programs that
promote regional stability.
Increase Ground Combat
Capability
The Nation’s security demands a ready and available warfighting
force. To that end, the U.S. is increasing its ground forces to meet
current
and projected needs and to sustain a high state of military
readiness and support. The growth in ground combat forces will
increase the
potential for longer time at home station between
deployments for soldiers and Marines.
Increase Ground Forces
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $20.5 billion, an increase of
$8.7 billion or 73 percent over the Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level
of
$11.9 billion, to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps
to meet operational demands and to increase the average time that
soldiers
and Marines are home between deployments.
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $15.5 billion to increase
Army active end strength to 532,400, which includes an increase of
7,000
over the Fiscal Year 2008 request. The Army plans to
increase active end strength by a total of 65,000 to 547,400. In
Fiscal Year 2009, the
number of active Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCT)
will increase by two BCTs, from 40 to 42, toward a goal of 48 BCTs.
Similarly, increasing the number of Marines in the operating forces
is expected to reduce stress on the force. The Fiscal Year 2009
budget
provides $5.0 billion, an increase of $.9 billion over the
Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level, to increase Marine Corps end
strength to 194,000,
which includes an increase of 5,000 Marines
over the Fiscal Year 2008 request. To achieve three balanced
Marine Expeditionary Force units,
and to increase time at home
station between deployments, the Marine Corps plans to increase end
strength by a total of 27,000 to 202,000 by
Fiscal Year 2011.
Improve Force Readiness
Sustaining critical combat and support operations, the Fiscal
Year 2009 budget provides $158.3 billion, an increase of $14.9
billion or 10.4
percent over the Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level of
$143.4 billion, to maintain DoD operations at levels consistent with
those of Fiscal
Year2008. To maintain combat readiness, the Fiscal
Year 2009 budget requests $68.0 billion to keep our force of
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and
Marines at the highest levels of
proficiency. The budget invests in readiness measured in terms of
tank miles driven per month, ship steaming
days underway per
quarter, and flying hours per month. Also included is $33.1 billion
for logistical, intelligence, and Service-wide support
activities.
The budget also requests $10.7 billion for training, recruiting, and
retention to attract and retain Service members possessing critical
skills
needed to meet tomorrow’s defense requirements; $11.8 billion
for equipment maintenance and to increase repair and refurbishment
of
equipment, and the transition of systems from development to
fielded systems; and $32.6 billion for facility and base support.
Develop Future Combat Capabilities
In addition to strengthening the combat readiness of America’s armed
forces, the Nation continues to invest in the strategic
modernization
necessary to meet current and future threats from
land, sea, air, or space. The United States must also maintain its
significant advantages in
warfighting capabilities and work to
prevent adversaries from acquiring or using weapons of mass
destruction.
Continue Modernization
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget requests $183.8 billion in modernization
to meet future threats, an $8.3 billion increase or 4.7 percent over
the
Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level of $175.5 billion. This includes
procurement, as well as research and development.
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $9.2 billion, an increase of
$0.4 billion, to maintain and strengthen joint ground capabilities
and to
continue development of the Army’s Future Combat System --
including manned and unmanned vehicles, the non-line-of-sight launch
system,
and the joint network communications system -- system
upgrades to the Stryker weapons system, and chemical weapons
destruction.
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget requests $16.9 billion to strengthen
joint maritime capabilities including: the CVN-21 Carrier;
one DDG-1000,
the next generation surface combatant; two littoral
combat ships; two joint high speed vessels; two auxiliary cargo
ships (T-AKEs); and one
Virginia Class submarine.
Joint Air Capabilities are strengthened in the Fiscal Year 2009
budget that provides $45.6 billion, a $4.9 billion increase over
Fiscal Year
2008 enacted levels, for F/A 18 Hornet and E/A-18G
Growler fighters, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, V-22 vertical lift
aircraft, additional
unmanned aerial vehicles, and the
recapitalization of various missiles and other weapons.
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $10.7 billion, an increase of
$1.6 billion, to strengthen joint space-based capabilities in
several
categories, including Space-Based Infrared Systems,
communications satellites, Global Positioning System satellites,
environmental satellites,
Advanced Extremely High Frequency
satellites, and launch vehicles.
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget also provides $79.5 billion for an array
of modern command, control, communications, computers and
intelligence ($16.4 billion); procurement of advanced munitions and
missiles ($11.0 billion); and mission support ($52.1 billion) such
as
ammunition, portable generators, cooling equipment, field medical
supplies, hospital equipment, and night vision goggles.
Sustain Research and Development
Changes in the 21st century threat environment create
strategic challenges from irregular warfare, potential adversaries
having weapons of
mass destruction, and disruptive technologies. The
Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $11.5 billion to sustain ongoing
science and technology
efforts, including $1.7 billion for basic
research, an increase of $300 million over the Fiscal Year 2008
budget request.
Improve Missile Defense Capabilities
To improve missile defense capabilities, the 2009 budget provides
$10.5 billion, an increase of $0.6 billion, for continued
development of a
multi-layered system to protect the U.S. and its
allies from tactical and strategic ballistic missile attack.
Base Realignment and Closure
Current and future national security challenges require a more
flexible, expeditionary force projection capability. Consequently,
units stationed
overseas will be brought back to bases in the United
States. The Fiscal Year 2009 budget requests $9.5 billion to
continue Base Realignment
and Closure (BRAC). For the approved FY
2005 Base Realignment and Closure recommendations, the Budget fully
funds 24 major
realignments, 25 base closures, and 765 lesser
actions.
Improve Quality of Life for
Service Members and Families
Recognizing that success in everything we do depends upon the
dedication and skill of the men and women who willingly sacrifice
their own
comfort and safety to safeguard the freedom that all
Americans enjoy every day, the Fiscal Year 2009 budget includes the
resources necessary
to provide the finest training, equipment and
force protection for those who serve in harm’s way; the best
possible care and medical facilities for
the wounded, ill, and
injured; a high quality of life for Service members and their
families; and various incentives to recruit and retain the
all-volunteer force.
Improve Quality of Life for Personnel and
Families
With significant emphasis on the quality of life for personnel and
families, the Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $107.8 billion in pay
and
benefits for 2.2 million active and reserve members, an increase
of $9.6 billion or 9.7 percent over the Fiscal Year 2008 enacted
level of $98.2
billion.
The Fiscal Year 2009 budget increases military pay by 3.4 percent.
Since 2001, military pay has increased by an average of 37
percent.
In 2009, the average enlisted E-6 (Army Staff Sergeant)
will see a pay increase of $1,289. The pay of the average O-3 (Army
Captain or Navy
Lieutenant) increases by $1,943 in FY 2009.
Sustain High Quality Health Care
To maintain exceptional health care benefits for 9.2 million
eligible military members and their families, working-age retiree
members and
their families, and Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, the
Fiscal Year 2009 budget provides $41.6 billion in Fiscal Year
2009 for the military health
system. Our forces deserve and can
expect world-class health care in the future, despite the rising
cost of health care and congressionally
expanded benefits.
The Department will submit legislation to enact the recommendations
of the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care. These
recommendations will help keep the generous military health benefits
affordable and sustainable for current and future retired Service
members and their families.
Further, recognizing the compelling and critical need to provide
world-class health and rehabilitative care to all warfighters who
are wounded,
ill, or injured in service to the Nation, the
Department has begun and will continue to take action on the
recommendations made by the
President’s Commission on Care for
America’s Returning Wounded Warriors.
Family Housing and Facilities
The budget also includes $3.2 billion, an increase of $300 million
above the Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level, which will construct new
family
housing, improve existing housing, eliminate inadequate
housing overseas, operate and maintain government-owned housing, and
fund the
privatization of 12,324 additional homes.
Summary
The request for $515.4 billion in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget
sustains the President’s commitment to prevail in the Global War
on Terror;
sustain a high rate of military readiness and
support; prepare for the wide range of current and future
dangers that threaten the Nation in the
years ahead; and improve
the quality of life for Service members and their families.
Rear Admiral William E. Shannon, III
Vice Commander, Naval Air Systems Command
Rear
Admiral
William
E. Shannon, a native of Massapequa, N.Y., graduated
from the U.S.
Naval Academy in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration and was designated a Naval Aviator the
following year. He holds a Master of Science in Systems Management
from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the
Armed Forces Staff College, the U.S. Marine Corps Weapons and
Tactics Instructor Course, and the Defense Acquisition University’s
Advanced Program Manager Course.
At sea, Rear Adm. Shannon flew the RH-53D Sea Stallion with HM-12
and HM-14 and the MH-55E as a Department Head with HM-15. In
addition, as a Navy/Marine Corps Exchange Pilot, he flew the CH-53D
while serving as the S-3 and Weapons and Tactics Instructor with the
“Ugly Angels” of HMH-362. From 1993 to 1995, Rear Adm. Shannon
served as Executive Officer, and subsequently, Commanding Officer of
the “Blackhawks” of HM-15. During this tour, HM-15 deployed twice to
Korea in response to tasking from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While
he was in command, HM-15 was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations
Safety Award and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Ashore, Rear Adm. Shannon served as a flight instructor in HM-12, as
Head of the Mine Warfare Branch on the staff of
the Chief of Naval
Operations, and as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness,
Requirements, and Tactics at the Mine
Warfare Command. His
acquisition tours include Deputy Program Executive Officer for
Operations and Airborne Mine
Countermeasures in the Program
Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and
Special Mission
Programs (PEO(A)). He also served as the Program
Manager of the Multi-Mission Helicopter Program (PMA-299) where
his
team successfully introduced the MH-60S Seahawk to the Fleet.
Following PMA-299, Rear Adm. Shannon became
the Deputy Program
Executive Officer for PEO(A), then went on to serve as the Director
of Total Force Readiness for
the Naval Aviation Enterprise and NAVAIR’s Assistant Commander for Logistics and Industrial
Operations. He assumed
the position of Vice Commander, Naval Air
Systems Command, in September 2007.
Subject: NAVAIR awards MFOQA contract
News Release Number: EHD200802061
News Release Copy: NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md. -
On Thursday, January 31, 2008,
NAVAIR awarded a base plus four
options firm-fixed price and cost plus fixed fee type contract at a
maximum
contract value of $5,505,689.00 to BGI, LLC headquartered in
Dallas, Texas to produce the Flight Visualization
and Data Analysis
(FVDA) module for the Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance (MFOQA)
program.
The Department of the Navy (DON) is implementing a MFOQA program,
based in part on the highly successful
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) FOQA program. While both programs use digital
flight data, downloaded
routinely post-flight, to conduct detailed
trending and analysis of aircraft and aircrew performance, the DON
MFOQA program analyzes and replays data at multiple levels within
the Naval Aviation Enterprise. Potential
benefits include
significant improvements in Operational Readiness, Training,
Maintenance Management and
Safety. MFOQA will provide a proactive
means to highlight positive trends and to identify potential risks
in time for
corrective action.
The MFOQA program
is managed by the NAVAIR Air Combat Electronics (ACE) Program
Office (PMA209). You
can learn more about MFOQA by visiting
http://pma209.navair.navy.mil/teams/flightOps/mfoqa.asp
Navy awards EPX concept refinement contracts
News Release Number: E200802061
News Release Copy: NAVAIR Patuxent River, MD – The U.S. Navy awarded
the Boeing/Argon ST; Lockheed
Martin; and Northrop Grumman/L3
Communications teams each $1.25 million contracts today to help
develop the
EPX program requirements and potential system concepts.
“The contracts will allow industry to work with the Navy to
analyze the current requirements for the EPX system and
will further
develop the concepts, cost and schedule for the program,” said Capt.
Joe Rixey, Maritime Patrol and
Reconnaissance Aircraft program
manager. “These contractors will help us determine the technical
criteria
necessary to build a strong foundation for the EPX
program.”
Planned as a replacement for the EP-3 Aries aircraft, the EPX
will be a manned multi-mission, multi-intelligence,
surveillance,
reconnaissance and targeting platform. The EPX will operate in
concert with other maritime patrol
and reconnaissance platforms,
such as Broad Area Maritime Surveillance and the P-8A Poseidon.
The Boeing Company, located in Seattle, Wash., is partnering with
Argon ST based in Fairfax, Va. The Lockheed
Martin team is located
in Marietta, Ga. and Egan, Minn. Northrop Grumman, of Bethpage, N.Y.
will be teaming with
L3 Communications, out of Greenville and Waco,
Texas.
“Today’s
announcement is a significant milestone and one step further in
advancing the EPX program,” Rixey said.
“We are pleased to
announce the partnership with these industry leaders as we value
their expertise and are
confident in their ability to help us
develop the best solutions for replacing the EP-3.”
Two Naval Aviators -
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
General Officer Announcements
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has announced that the
President has made the following nominations:
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James F. Amos has been nominated for
appointment as the
assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, and for
appointment to the rank of general. Amos
is presently serving as the
deputy commandant for combat development and integration;
commanding
general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; commander, U.S
Marine Forces Strategic Command; commanding general, Marine Corps
National Capital
Region Command; and commander, U.S. Marine Corps
Forces National Capital Region,
Quantico, Va.
Lieutenant
General James F. Amos
Deputy
Commandant for Combat Development and Integration
Lieutenant
General Amos graduated from the University of Idaho in 1970. He
was designated a Naval Aviator in 1971, and has held a variety
of operational and staff assignments since 1972.
Operational assignments include tours with Marine Fighter Attack
Squadrons 212, 235, 232 and 122 where he flew the F-4 Phantom
II. In 1985 Lieutenant General Amos assumed command of Marine
Air Base Squadron 24/Marine Wing Support Squadron 173.
Transitioning to the F/A-18 Hornet, he assumed command of Marine
Fighter Attack Squadron 312 and subsequently joined Carrier Air
Wing Eight onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). Lieutenant
General Amos took command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 Beaufort,
SC in May 1996. In August 2002, he assumed command of the Third
Marine Aircraft Wing and deployed with 3d MAW to Iraq for
Operations
Iraqi Freedom I and II. Lieutenant General Amos
served as Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force
from July 2004 to August 2006.
Lieutenant General Amos' staff assignments include tours with
Marine Aircraft Groups 15 and 31, the III Marine
Amphibious
Force, Training Squadron Seven, The Basic School, and with the MAGTF Staff Training Program.
Promoted to Brigadier General in
1998 he was assigned to NATO as Deputy Commander, Naval Striking
Forces,
Southern Europe, and as the U.S. Deputy Commanding
General, Fleet Marine Forces, Europe, Naples Italy.
During this
tour he commanded NATO's Kosovo Verification Coordination
Center, and served as Chief of Staff,
U.S. Joint Task Force
Noble Anvil during the air campaign over Kosovo. Transferred in
2000 to the Pentagon, he
was assigned as Assistant Deputy
Commandant for Aviation. Reassigned in December 2001, Lieutenant
General
Amos served as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for
Plans, Policies and Operations Department,
Headquarters, Marine
Corps. In August 2006, Lieutenant General Amos assumed command
of the Marine Corps
Combat Development Command (MCCDC).
Lieutenant General Amos is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff
College, Norfolk, VA and the Air War College,
Maxwell AFB, AL.
His personal decorations include the Distinguished Service
Medal, Defense Superior Service
Medal, the Legion of Merit (two
awards), the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint
Service Commendation
Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal, as well as numerous campaign and service
awards.
Marine Corps Lt. Gen.
Keith J. Stalder has been nominated for appointment as the
commander, U.S. Marine
Corps Forces Pacific; commanding general,
Fleet Marine Forces Pacific; and commander, Marine Corps Bases
Pacific, and for reappointment to the rank of lieutenant general. Stalder
is presently serving as the commanding
general, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Lieutenant
General Keith J. Stalder
Commanding
General, II Marine Expeditionary Force
Lieutenant
General Keith J. Stalder currently serves as the Commanding
General for II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina. His last assignment was as the Commanding General of
Training and Education Command in Quantico, Virginia.
Lieutenant General Stalder was born in Venezuela and grew up in
Alaska. A 1984 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,
he holds a Master's Degree in Aeronautics. He is also a graduate
of Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the Armed Forces
Staff College, and the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.
Lieutenant General Stalder has served as the Commanding General,
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in Iraq and as the Commanding General,
1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Deputy Commanding General,
1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in Operation Iraqi Freedom I. He
has served in Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 333,
235, and 115
as well as Strike Fighter Squadron 125 and Marine Aviation
Weapons and Tactics Squadron One.
He also served as the
Assistant Wing Commander, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, and at
Headquarters, European
Command, Stuttgart, Germany as the
Operations Division Chief for the military-to-military contact
program for
Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet
Union. He commanded Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 531
and
Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 and was the
Deputy Director for Plans and Policy, United
States Central
Command, during Operation Enduring Freedom.
His personal decorations include the Distinguished Service
Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with an
oakleaf cluster,
the Legion of Merit, and Air Medal.
What about our military? (Opinion)
BY: Joseph F. Callo, The New York Post
The would-be
Republican and Democratic nominees have so far failed to address
perhaps the most urgent task
for the next president: rebuilding our
military.
The Army has
been wearing out equipment at a rapid rate in Iraq. Tanks, trucks
and Humvees, for example, are
operating in an environment that
degrades equipment very rapidly. And rocket-propelled grenades and IEDs
"degrade" equipment instantaneously.
Meanwhile, the
Navy remains far below the minimum level of ships it needs. In fact,
at 280 ships, its force level
is at a 90-year low - and even the
most powerful ship can't be in more than one place simultaneously.
While the
technologically advanced tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft significantly
increases the Marines' tactical flexibility,
funding for this
aircraft remains low because of defense-budget limitations.
The Air Force
is flying bombers that were built 50 years ago; its tanker fleet
inadequate in terms of age and
numbers of aircraft. And the Coast
Guard is making do in its expanding missions with the oldest fleet
of coastal
vessels in the world.
All of the
armed forces - constantly asked to do more with fewer personnel -
are wearing out their people.
America's
safety is being compromised - and the situation can't be fixed
quickly. It takes years to rebuild a military
force, in terms of
material and people. The men and women of the armed forces will
eventually pay in blood for the
seriously pinched defense funding.
Yet the only
thing we seem to hear from the candidates is that "we must support
the wonderful men and women of
our military who are sacrificing so
much for us." Support them with what, press releases? Where are the
specifics?
Where are the suggestions for budget increases that
should go with the specifics?
About 3 percent
of our gross domestic product now goes to defense. That figure has
declined since the mid 1980s - the time of the last major military
rebuilding effort - by more than 30 percent. Should it be more? How
much more?
What are the
candidates' positions on the growing military cooperation between
China and Russia? On the
growing economic and military ties linking
Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba and Nicaragua? On how these issues should
influence the size, shape and funding for our armed forces?
These are
important questions. The answers (or non-answers) will shape the
world our children and grandchildren
live with - or die in.
Being
commander-in-chief of our armed forces may be the most important
part of the president's job. But we
aren't hearing more than
slippery generalities on the subject of defense from the candidates.
We need to hear
more than that they "support a strong national defense." We need to
hear specifics, and we
need to hear them before we cast our votes.
Joseph F. Callo is a retired admiral who writes on military
subjects.
Enlisted Sailors Get
Opportunity to Fly
Story Number: NNS080212-17
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ken Ingram
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS)
-- The Navy announced requirements for the Active Duty Flying
Chief Warrant Officer
(CWO) Pilot Program in NAVADMIN 020/08,
released Jan. 25.
"This program harnesses the strengths of today's Sailors and
shapes the Navy of tomorrow by developing chief
warrant
officer's whose careers will be focused solely on flying duties
both at sea and ashore," said Vice Adm.
John C. Harvey, Jr,
chief of naval personnel.
Sailors E-5 through E-7, who want a career in aviation and meet
the criteria in the NAVADMIN, should submit an
application.
Completed applications are due no later than June 13. The board
convenes in July when five pilots
and three Naval Flight
Officers (NFO) will be selected.
"The Navy is looking for hard-charging motivated Sailors
interesting in flying a Navy aircraft. This is a fantastic
opportunity for someone who didn't get a chance to attend flight
school before enlisting," said Lt. Cmdr Michael
Black, director
of the Navy's flying chief warrant officer program.
"Warrant officers will be trained to be pilots on P-3 Orion,
EP-3 Aries, E-6 Mercury, and SH-60B/MH-60S
helicopters. Warrant
officers selected for NFO will fly in the P-3 Orion, EP-3 Aries
and E-6 Mercury aircrafts,"
said Black.
The program requires Sailors to be commissioned by their 27th
birthday, have an associate degree or higher,
be physically
qualified for aviation duty, and meet eligibility requirements
for a secret security clearance.
Sailors older than 27 can apply for an age waiver. Age waiver
information is on the PERS-43 section of the
NPC website under
flying CWO age-waiver link. Sailors below the rank of E-5 and
above E-7 cannot obtain a
waiver to apply.
Sailors from sea, air, land combat command, special warfare
combatant crew member, explosive ordnance
disposal, diver,
nuclear and master-at-arms communities are not eligible for the
program.
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group
Enters 7th Fleet
Story Number: NNS080212-04
Release Date: 2/2008 8:21:00 AM
From USS Nimitz Public Affairs
USS NIMITZ, At Sea
(NNS) -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) entered the U.S.
7th Fleet's area of
responsibility (AOR), Feb. 8, as part of a
regularly scheduled deployment to promote peace, cooperation and
stability in the region.
Commanded by Rear Adm. Terry Blake, the Nimitz CSG will be
filling the role of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), the
Navy's only
permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, which is
undergoing scheduled maintenance in
Yokosuka, Japan.
"All nations in the region can be assured of the Navy's
continued and robust interaction in the form of mutual
training
opportunities, professional exchanges, and port visits," said
Blake. "We are committed to preserving
peace and stability in
the Pacific region."
Nimitz returned from a six-month deployment to the Persain Gulf
and the Western Pacific in September 2007.
Nimitz supported
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, conducted
maritime security operations and
participated in joint and
coalition exercises and operations with many countries and other
U.S. military services
during that deployment.
During the last few months, Nimitz conducted several training
exercises off the coast of California in preparation
to deploy
once again.
"While operating in the Western Pacific we will also participate
in exercises and coordinate with our partner
nations in the
region," said Capt. Michael Manazir, Nimitz' commanding officer.
The Nimitz CSG is comprised of CSG 11, the nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier Nimitz; its embarked air wing,
Carrier Air Wing
(CVW) 11; embarked Destroyer Squadron 23; the guided-missile
cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59)
the guided-missile destroyers USS
John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Higgins (DDG 76), and USS Chafee
(DDG
90); Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49
"Scorpions," HSL 37 "Easy Riders"; and Explosive
Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit 11.
CVW-11's squadrons include the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter
Squadron (VFA) 14, the "Black Aces" of VFA-41,
the "Sunliners"
of VFA-81, the "Wallbangers" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron
117, the "Red Devils" of Marine
Fighter Attack Squadron 232, the
"Black Ravens" of Electronic Warfare Squadron 135, the
"Providers" of Carrier
Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the
"Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6.
No, this is not a USN nor USMC contract BUT it will have a profound
effect on military aircraft development and sales:
PRESS RELEASE -- Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public
Affairs
Release No. 040208
February 29,2008
Air Force Announces Tanker Contract
WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Air Force, Michael W. Wynne,
and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Duncan J. McNab,
announced the selection of Northrop Grumman Corporation,
headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., as the winner of the KC-X
competition for development and procurement of up to 179 tanker
aircraft for approximately $35 billion.
The initial contract for the newly-named KC-45 is for the system
design and development of four test aircraft for $1.5B. This
contract
also includes five production options targeted for 64
aircraft at $10.6B.
"The tanker is our number one procurement priority right now.
Buying the new KC-45A is a major step forward and another
demonstration of our commitment to recapitalizing our
Eisenhower-era inventory of these critical national assets.
Today is not just
important for the Air Force, however. It's
important for the entire Joint military team, and important for
our coalition partners as well. The
KC-45A will revolutionize
our ability to employ tankers and will ensure the Air Force's
future ability to provide our nation with truly Global
Vigilance, Reach, and Power," said General McNab.
"The tanker is the number one procurement priority for us right
now. It is the first step in our critical commitment to
recapitalize our
aging fleet to move, supply, and position
assets anywhere. In this global Air Force business, the critical
element for air bridge, global
Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance, and global strike is the tanker," said General McNab.
The KC-45A will provide significantly greater air refueling
capabilities than the current fleet of Eisenhower-era KC-135s it
will begin
replacing. For example, it will be able to refuel Air
Force and Navy aircraft on every flight. These aircraft have
different systems for
receiving fuel and today the KC-135s must
be set up for one or the other before takeoff. The KC-45A will
be equipped for both systems
on every flight and will also have
connections for wing pods. When wing pods are installed, it can
refuel two probe-equipped aircraft,
such as Navy and many allied
aircraft, at the same time. It can even be refueled in flight by
other tankers.
The KC-45A will also have defensive systems that allow it to go
into dangerous environments that we currently have to avoid. It
will also
supplement our airlift fleet by carrying cargo,
passengers, and medical patients in a secondary role.
The KC-X source selection used a "best value" determination to
select a winner based on five factors: Mission Capability,
Proposal Risk,
Past Performance, Cost/Price, and an Integrated
Fleet Air Refueling Assessment (performance in a simulated war
scenario). These five
factors were developed after consulting
with industry and were finalized prior to starting the
competition. Considered together, these
grading criteria ensured
the Air Force maximized the capability delivered to the warfighter while optimizing the taxpayers' investment.
The Air Force followed a carefully structured process, designed
to provide transparency, maintain integrity and promote fair
competition.
The Air Force met with offerors on numerous
occasions to gain a thorough understanding of their proposals
and provide feedback on
their strengths and weaknesses. The Air
Force also provided insight into government cost estimates
throughout the process instead of
waiting until the
post-decision debrief. The competitors indicated they've been
very pleased with the degree of communication.
The evaluation team was comprised of experts covering a broad
spectrum of specialties from acquisition to operations and was
hand-
picked from across the USAF and other government agencies.
As part of the process, the Air Force will now provide a written
notice to both the selected and not-selected and offer to
provide a
de-brief on their bid proposals. To maintain the
integrity of that process, the Air Force will be unable to
provide additional information
about the proposals and contract.
"Today's announcement is the culmination of years of tireless
work and attention to detail by our Acquisition professionals
and source
selection team, who have been committed to
maintaining integrity, providing transparency, and promoting a
fair competition for this
critical aircraft program," said
Secretary Wynne. "Through these efforts we believe we will
provide a higher-value resource to the
warfighter and the
taxpayer."\
Nimitz CSG Ships Arrive in
South Korea for Port Visits
Story Number: NNS080229-21
Release Date: 2/29/2008 1:50:00 PM
From Nimitz Carrier Strike Group 11 Public Affairs
BUSAN, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS
Princeton (CG 59) and USS John Paul Jones
(DDG 53) arrived in
Busan, Feb. 28, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with
exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle
2008 (KR/FE 08).
Additionally, the guided-missile destroyer USS Chaffee (DDG 90)
arrived in Donghae and the guided-missile
destroyer USS Higgins
(DDG 76) pulled into Pohang Feb. 28. During these port visits,
Sailors will participate in
friendship building activities, meet
local citizens, experience local customs and traditions, and
enjoy the many
recreational activities offered in Busan, Donghae
and Pohang, Republic of Korea (ROK).
The deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz to
backfill USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) while the Kitty
Hawk undergoes
maintenance exemplifies U.S. commitment to peace and stability
in the Pacific Region.
While in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, the Nimitz
Strike Group will participate in KR/FE 08, which was
formerly
known as the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration
Exercise or RSOI. Key Resolve
reflects the transition to a
Republic of Korea-led exercise program.
The joint and combined field training exercise referred to as
Foal Eagle will be linked with Key Resolve, as it has
been
linked with RSOI for the past several years. KR/FE 08, like all
other Combined Forces Command exercises
is designed to improve
the command's ability to defend ROK.
The Nimitz CSG is commanded by Rear Adm. Terry Blake.
"Our goal is to maintain and strengthen our alliances and
friendships in the region," said Blake.
The Nimitz CSG is comprised of Commander, Carrier Strike Group
11, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz;
its embarked
air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11; embarked Destroyer Squadron
23; the guided-missile cruiser
USS Princeton (CG 59); the
guided-missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS
Higgins (DDG 76),
and USS Chafee (DDG 90); Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 "Scorpions," HSL 37 "Easy
Riders"; and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11.
CVW-11's squadrons include the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter
Squadron (VFA) 14, the "Black Aces" of VFA-41,
the "Sunliners"
of VFA-81, the "Wallbangers" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron
117, the "Red Devils" of Marine
Corps Strike Fighter Squadron
232, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Warfare Squadron 135, the
"Providers" of
Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the
"Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6.
Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, the 7th
Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets,
with
approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and
Marines assigned at any given time.
CNO PODCAST TRANCRIPT
February 29, 2008
Welcome to the Chief of Naval Operations,
Admiral Gary Roughead’s podcast. I’m Petty Officer Rebekah
Blowers.
We sat down with Admiral Roughead to talk about his three priorities
of building a future force,
maintaining current readiness and
developing and supporting Sailors, Navy civilians and their
families. Thank
you sir for joining us today. You’ve spent a lot of
time visiting shipyards throughout the country. Have you
accomplished what you intended when you began those visits?
My shipyard tours have been really helpful to
me and they fully accomplished what I intended. I wanted
to get out,
visit the shipyards where our ships are being built. Everything from
aircraft carriers to
submarines, amphibious ships - and to really
meet the people that are building our ships. The craftsmen
that are
putting a tremendous amount of effort into our ships and the future
Navy are doing a great job.
And it was important for me to be able
to see what they were doing, see what kind of innovation is being
put into the production of our ships, look at the quality of the
ships that are being built. So it really has
been a worthwhile and
very valuable experience for me.
You say that “313 is the floor” when you talk
about how many ships the Navy will need in the future. What does
this mean for the future fleet?
Well 313 ships in my opinion is the minimal
number that we should have as we go into the future. We are
a global
navy. We have been and we will continue to be a global navy. And in
order to cover the vast
oceans of the world numbers matter. And I
believe 313 is the minimum that we can afford to have. But it
is
also important that we look at the balance of that fleet. It’s great
to say that this particular ship is very
capable and does great
things and that's true but what really is important is how does our
Navy balance
capability from the very high end of warfare, whether
its an aircraft carrier or submarine to some of the
smaller ships
that we're now building the littoral combat ship for example, or the
joint high speed vessel.
And it’s the balance that gives us the
global reach that’s important to our Navy and to our country. So
that we have options, so that we can involve ourselves in areas of
the world that are important to the
safety and the security and the
prosperity of our country.
How does today’s Maritime Strategy influence
the decisions you’re making about the Navy we’ll have in the
future?
Our maritime strategy defines our Navy of the
future. In our maritime strategy we call for six capabilities.
Four
of those capabilities have been part of our Navy since we began. The
first is to be a global navy.
The second is to be a navy that is
able to deter others. The third capability is to be able to project
power.
Project power ashore from our aircraft carriers, missiles
from ships and submarines, and also to be able
to project power from
our amphibious ships with our partners the Marine
